Emma Watson wants to know what all the hubbub is about

Unless you've been sequestered as part of jury duty or marooned on some deserted island for the past two weeks, you've already heard about the recent Hogwarts outing. On Oct. 19, author J.K. Rowling outed Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. She didn't decide to wave a rainbow flag and shout it from the mountain tops or anything. She simply answered a question regarding whether Dumbledore ever found true love. Rowling answered by saying, "Dumbledore is gay." She went on to explain that he had been smitten with Gellert Grindelwald.

Naturally, entertainment reporters (being reporters) have felt it necessary to seek out reactions to this announcement from the folks who embody Rowling's characters on the big screen. Daniel Radcliffe found it amusing. Rupert Grint was surprised. But my favorite reaction came from the face of Hermione Granger, Emma Watson.

Watson seems to think this really shouldn't be any big deal.

"This is the 21st century! I just could not believe the amount of fuss that was being made over Dumbledore being gay."

She also was less than surprised.

"I never actually thought about it before but, when she said it, I thought, 'Oh yeah, that makes sense.'"

I like this kid more all the time. First, she wants to make sure that filming the last two Potter flicks doesn't interfere with getting an education. Now, she clearly demonstrates why those of us who are my age have a great deal of hope for the future of things like legalized same-sex marriage. It's because people like Watson will one day be in charge.

I guess, in terms of the fictional Potter universe, I can see certain people having an issue with the recent revelation.

But frankly, Hermione already knows how to put these fools in their place.

Rowling herself appears to be a bit frustrated by some of the negative reactions she's received, and a little tired of answering all the questions about Dumbledore's sexuality. She said as much a few days after the initial announcement, while in Toronto for an event.

"It certainly would never be news to me that a brave and brilliant man could love other men."

Personally, I'm with Ace, Emma and J.K. I don't see why it's such a big deal. I had long assumed that Dumbledore was infatuated with Grindelwald. And I would have continued in that assumption whether Rowling had made any sort of announcement or not. To be honest, I don't believe that Dumbledore is the only gay character in the Harry Potter universe. I have my suspicions about at least one other Hogwarts teacher.

That suspicion will likely never be confirmed one way or another, especially after the flap Dumbledore's outing has caused. But really, that's OK with me. I'll live happily in my own little world where I can read into these characters whatever attributes I choose. That's part of the fun of reading books.